By David Harry
Staff Writer

Biddeford and Saco mayoral candidates talk about building bridges between the cities. Biddeford High School and Thornton Academy football players prepare to battle on them.
The annual “Battle of the Bridge,” begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Dr. Paul S. Hill Stadium at Thornton Academy. This year marks the 99th regular season meeting between the schools.
The football teams also have played three postseason games in the rivalry that began in 1893, but this season marks a distinct reversal of fortune for the teams.
The Thornton Academy Trojans enter the regular season finale with a 6-1 record and six-game winning streak. The Biddeford Tigers are 0-7 after a 7-2 season in 2010. Both coaches said the game remains the emotional high point of the season for their squads.
“Obviously, we try to look one week at a time, but our kids get excited,” Thornton Academy Coach Kevin Kezal said.
Biddeford Coach Steve Descoteaux is also a member of the Tiger class of 1991 and relishes memories of the games as a player and coach.
“You do your best to go about your normal business, but this is the Biddeford-Thornton game,” he said. “I’m proud of these kids. They had worked hard every week.”
Last year’s match featured teams headed to the postseason and a thrilling 27-22 Biddeford win to snap a five-game Thornton winning streak, including two matches in 2007.
In Descoteaux’s years as a player, the Tigers held the upper paw in the match-up. From 1987 to 1999, Biddeford lost only in 1991. The Tigers avenged the loss with a playoff win that year.
In Kezal’s first year as head coach in 2000, the Trojans broke the Biddeford streak and began an era of dominance by winning eight of 10 games before last year.
“Maine is not like football in the deep south, but for one week, you get that feel,” Kezal said.

Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.